Better to Prevent Now, Than to Cure Later

When it comes to improving the health of individuals and communities, education is key. Health education is more than improving people’s access to information. It empowers them to actively manage their own health and well-being. 

Many health problems can be caused or worsened by factors related to poverty, such as poor nutrition, unemployment, lack of housing and income insecurity. As a federally-qualified health center, SFCHC’s mission is to provide comprehensive, patient-centered health care and education to each person regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. 

Together, let’s work to combat chronic health conditions and diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and obesity. As our healthcare providers agree, it's better to prevent these health issues now, than to work to cure them later. 

To ensure you stay in the best health possible, SFCHC offers numerous health and wellness education resources: 

• Group health education classes for the prevention and management of diabetes, including cooking classes to prepare healthy and delicious meals in our on-site teaching kitchen.
• One-on-one appointments and telehealth visits with our dietician and health educator on nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes.
• Diabetes self-management program with group education classes and tools to help prevent or manage diabetes through good nutrition, regular exercise and healthy living.
• Care Circle remote patient monitoring program providing the technological tools to improve patient A1C levels and avoid the risk of complications that come with uncontrolled diabetes (includes free iPad, scale, blood pressure cuff, glucometer and Fitbit).
• Blood pressure cuff program allowing patients to self-manage hypertension from the comfort of home.
• Mental health preventive skills trainings focused on life skills, grief management and trauma informed care.
• Partnership with California State University, Northridge Department of Kinesiology offering group exercise classes coupled with lifestyle coaching through diabetes self-management education groups.
• Prenatal health and nutritional education and counseling, childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes and infant CPR training.
• LaVida Care program to provide HIV testing, prevention and treatment referrals to protect yourself and others from infection. 

We want to build a trusting healthcare relationship with our patients. If you’re ready to take charge of your own health, our SFCHC team is here to help. To learn more about our health education services or schedule an appointment, please visit www.sfchealthcenter.org or call 818.963.5690.

About SFCHC

Serving patients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) has been a trusted, patient-centered healthcare home for the community since 1924. Its designation as a federally-qualified health center allows it to provide state-of-the art healthcare services, prevention and education regardless of income or ability to pay. For more information, visit sfchealthcenter.org.

Author

Stacy Geere PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING CONSULTANT - Stacy T. Geere is founder and principal of The Geere Group, a full-service public relations and marketing consulting firm. She has over three decades of diverse experience working with clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Stacy has supported high-profile projects in relation to healthcare, environmental sustainability, water and energy conservation, transportation, land use development and other complex issues. Her work has earned both local and national recognition. Stacy has a passion for volunteering her time and leadership to philanthropic causes and is a published book author. www.thegeeregroup.com